Chapter 14; The Great Plains & Canadian Prairie

The Great Plains & Canadian Prairie

Though the Great Plains and the Canadian Prairie are still independent to some extent, and retain the individual character shaped by the agricultural subsistence and natural landscape, there are modern obstacles to contend with to retain freedom and remain afloat. The threat of unruly and unpredictable climatic changes have affected the farmers of the region who migrated to The Great Plains and Canadian Prairie and had been accustomed to the predictability of the Midwestern climate. The region was essential in supplying the agricultural products that were direly needed during WWII, and has since been exploited for its bounty. Nonetheless, sustainable options exist.

The Great Plains flat landscape (www.greatplainslcc.org)

Gascoyne, North Dakota (en.wikipedia.org)

History's Effects on Demography & Settlement

The region's last ice age glaciers retreated about 12,000 years ago. The Plains Native Americans were semi-nomadic, hunters and gatherers, practiced basic agriculture, and hunted wooly mammoths and buffalo. The Spanish introduction of horses and firearms to the region vastly impacted the lifestyle of the Native Americans, and though it aided their livelihood for a time, their traditions and culture was greatly eroded by this. Lewis and Clark were instrumental in discovering the abundant wildlife and geographical elements of the region. They called it "The Great American Desert", for they found the region to be dry, and devoid of much vegetation. The area was ideal for cowboy culture however, which was connected to cattle ranching, and which has endowed the nation with an iconic image of masculinity, nationalism, and rugged independence.

The rugged appeal of cowboys was immortalized by Hollywood films. Here is James Dean playing a cowboy. (classico.culturenik.com)

John Wayne (en.wikipedia.org)

Climate & Geography

The flat topography and dry climate has been ideal for the growth of several agricultural products. Though the climate of The Great Plains and Canadian Prairie is often dry, and precipitation is scarce, irrigation permits agriculture. Additionally, the topsoil of the area is very fertile.

Pivot agriculture in Great Plains (landscapearchipelago.com)

Economy

The Primary sector has been instrumental in the economic survival of the Great Plains and Canadian Prairie. Though traditionally, agricultural products from the region were shipped to the Eastern United States, today, Asian economies are greatly invested in the success of Great Plains agriculture. The transportation of the goods, which is largely dependent on fossil fuels, will need to be replaced with a more environmentally viable solution if the agricultural sector is to survive. Most farmers are no longer independent or own family farms. Instead, many farmers rely on agricultural subsidies, off-farm jobs, and corporate contracts. The industry is becoming increasingly corporatized and insistent on the largest amount of yields with the lowest amount of costs. Unfortunately, one of these consequences is the diminishment of the Ogallala water table. Since it has been over pumped, irrigation connected to it is no longer possible. Climate change is also a serious concern for the inhabitants of the region because crops will be affected by the greenhouse effect. Crops grown in the region are: Wheat, corn, canola, sorghum, cotton, sunflowers. Livestock grown in the region includes: cattle and hogs.

Sustainability
Since the Great Plains utilizes an unsustainable amount of water at the time, measures will have to be taken to remediate this. Calgary, for instance, has begun water conservation plans to move in this direction. Sustainable agriculture, which would involve practices that respect and work in agreement with the land's natural provisions are also necessary. Renewable energy sources such as wind turbines present ample opportunity to turn around the region's overuse of fossil fuels.

Chapter 7; Megalopolis

Megalopolis vs. San Francisco
The urban elements that characterize Megalopolis, are very similar to those of San Francisco. Both are human-dominated lands, that have extrapolated most resources from the environment, and are now capitalizing on the financial sector. Both areas have a large amount of the workforce in the tertiary and quaternary sectors. Megalopolis is a conglomeration of various large cities, while San Francisco is a single city, separated from the largest city in its state, Los Angeles by land.

New York skyline (frontpagemag.com)

San Francisco skyline (www.hdwpapers.com)

Since the areas both have populations that are very dense, they have modernized, effective, and heavily used public transportation systems. Both cities represent the smart growth model, which characterizes urban metropolises, with TOD's, multi-use building patterns, and little sprawl. New York is separated into five boroughs however, while San Francisco's population is concentrated in one location. San Francisco is more effective in its sustainability practices, as New York has a serious garbage disposal problem, has more sprawl to its surrounding scenic areas, and the need for green building has been approached mildly. However, both cities are excellent examples of a sustainable future overall.

New York City subway map (www.nycsubway.org)

San Francisco muni map (sanfrancisco.about.com)

"Weather in mid-latitude Megalopolis is humid in the summer; winter varies from cold in the north to mild in the south. Winds blowing from the west minimize the ocean's influence." (158, Mayda) In contrast, San Francisco summers are much milder, and the hottest temperatures arise due to the mountains or hill blocking wind. Snowstorms never occur, however, as temperatures never get as cold as in Megalopolis.

The economies of San Francisco and Megalopolis are almost identical. Both are world-renowned financial centers, but New York is larger in its scale and influence. Megalopolis is a technopole, a technological industry center, due to its local universities, Harvard, MIT, and others. San Francisco is one as well, due to nearby Silicon Valley. Tourism is a very present factor in both locales, though two very different experiences are offered.

Chapter 9; South Atlantic

The South Atlantic vs. San Francisco

"The evolution of the South differed markedly from that of the North. Prior to the Civil War, the self-sufficient plantation economy truncated urban development. After the war, the southern economy slowly evolved from rural to urban, and in the process began mirroring the North." The cultural and geographic elements of the South Atlantic, have shaped its history, and causing lasting effects on the populace. San Francisco's history took extremely different turns than that of the South Atlantic, but Europeans exploited and utilized both lands for their advantage. European colonists settled the South Atlantic and profited on the labor of slaves, while Spanish conquerors sought a similar effect in practically eroding the existence of Native Americans. Today, the South Atlantic is resembling an urban environment such as San Francisco more than ever before however.

South Carolina plantation, representing the "Old South" (www.destination360.com)

Atlanta, Georgia, representing the "New South" (www.foreclosurelistings.com)

History's Effects on Demography & Settlement

The population of the South Atlantic, with the presence of whites being the largest percentage in all states, followed by that of blacks, and then Hispanics, shows that the history of the land, molded by slave-holding and the plantation lifestyle, has affected its population. In Virginia, for example, the population of whites in 2010 was 68.6%, the population of blacks was 19.4%, and the population of Hispanics was 7.9%. The push factor for blacks that was prevalent in the Southern Atlantic until 1970, was cruel and disparaging Jim Crow laws. Though some racial discrimination occurred in San Francisco, during the moratorium on Chinese immigration due to the Chinese Exclusion Act (1882), Chinese immigrants labored willingly in the city, and were not cruelly or physically punished, though they were detained against their will for questioning. Similarly, the large amount of Chinese laborers is reflected on the current population. Pull factors for African-Americans were the employment opportunities in Northern manufacturing industries. 

Climate & Geography

The Southern Atlantic differs greatly in its climate in comparison with San Francisco. Summers are hot, humid, and rainy, while winters are mild with very little rain and rare snow. San Francisco's temperatures are much more moderate, due to its proximity to the cool ocean influence. The Southern Atantic's geography is more diverse than that of San Francisco, as it features the Barrier and Sea island coasts, the upland Southeastern plain, swamps, the Piedmont, which is the "foot of the mountains". Its watersheds are also different, featuring both redwater and blackwater rivers, not native to San Francisco.

Economy

Though it took a century for the South Atlantic to reach the development of the North, several important industries have created a relatively stable future for the region. The poor yeoman, a "Freeholder of lower status- conservative, family-oriented, and holding communal values- who owned and worked his own farm." (587, Mayda), was largely superseded by the competition from mechanized farming in the early twentieth century. Tobacco is still an important crop, with headquarters in the Southern Atlantic. Other important crops are rice, indigo, cotton, peanuts, and the classic "Georgia peach".  The modernized hog industry is central to Southern Atlantic agribusiness, despite unintended consequences to the land caused by CAFOs, including animal cruelty, polluted groundwater and air, overfertilization and excess waste, and antibiotic resistance in humans caused by antibiotics used in pigs. The automobile industry remains present in the Southern Atlantic, which includes a newly opened Honda business-jet manufacturing facility. San Francisco, has not exerted nearly as much effort in agribusiness as the Southern Atlantic, instead focusing on the financial, technology, medical research, and trade sectors. In parts of the Carolina triad, biotechnology is being pursued however. 

Sustainability

San Francisco has made a more consistent and effective effort towards sustainability than the Southern Atlantic. However, South Carolina has beginning the process to popularize renewable energy and green building. Georgia is seeking to become, "the 'Silicon Valley of ethanol,' converting tree waste to biomass." (229, Mayda) Despite these sparse efforts, a more unified approach must be sought out in order to reach the potential of San Francisco's green standards. 

Chapter 8; Appalachia

Appalachia vs. San Francisco

The Appalachian region of the United States is defined by the mountains which have defined the strong and unique folklore of the region, and provided an economy based on coal that has provided a livelihood for its inhabitants for generations. Though San Francisco does have mountainous regions, it is nowhere as isolated as the Appalachian region, and due to this, it has allowed for much more immigration to the region and thus, diversity.

Appalachian landscape (www.acwfarm.com)

Much less prominent mountains of San Francisco seen in the distant horizon (www.hdwpapers.com)

History's Effects on Demography & Settlement

The population of Appalachia is 94% white, with only 3.4% Black, 1.2% Hispanic, 0.6% Asian, and 0.8% other. This reflects both the culture ad the geography of the land, which contrasts vastly with San Francisco. Since there are no coasts in the vicinity of mountainous Appalachia, neither immigration or emigration have been frequent, and despite emigration which took place in search for jobs during the decline of the coal industry, many returned home. In comparison, San Francisco has easy entry points due to the watersheds that surround it, and many were drawn to the city for economic reasons such as the Gold Rush, or for better opportunities in general, as shown by its large, ethnically-diverse, and foreign-born population. Thus, the culture is more of a melting-pot, whereas Appalachia has birthed a family and community-oriented folklore, with unique linguistic, musical, and foods that are unique to the region.

 

Musical elements of Appalachia (www.motherjones.com)

John Fogerty is a native California from Berkeley, but emulated the Appalachian style of music. ("You're the Reason"- John Fogerty)

The climate of Appalachia is temperate, continental, and rainy. Appalachia receives the third wettest climate in the United States, (behind the Pacific Northwest and Gulf Coast), and The Blue Ridge Mountains receive the most rain of any region in the eastern United States; 40-55 inches in the western plateau,  30-45 inches in the Ridge and Valley, and about 80 inches in the Blue Ridge Mountains. San Francisco receives much less rain though it is in proximity to the Pacific Northwest, with an average of 21.5 inches. Both areas appear foggy, but The Great Smoky Mountains are "...enveloped in a permanent fossil-fuel produced haze that has nothing to do with the park's 'Smoky' name." (178, Mayda)

Smoky Mountain National Park's hazy quality (www.oletimer.net)

Sustainability

Though both areas have forsaken their natural resources to some extent, The Appalachian Mountains region has forsaken much of their land's vitality due to the constant mining of coal. The profitable and inexpensive material used for electricity, is mined with a devastating process that has taken a large toll on the land and its people causing acid rain, respiratory disease, soil erosion, pollution of water, flooding, destruction of native habitats, and damage to residents' property. Mining of gold in San Francisco caused similar effects on the land, water, and natural habitats to a lesser extent, and over a shorter period of time. Appalachians remain much more dependent on primary industries of mining and agriculture than San Francisco. Tobacco, marijuana, dairy, and other products are important factors of the Appalachian economy, while San Francisco is mostly supported by the financial, technological, medical research, and trade sectors.

San Francisco has made a much more concerted and conscientious effort towards sustainability than Appalachia. Though San Francisco's urban qualities lend it an advantage towards green living, wind farms provide a likely source of renewable energy for Appalachia.

Chapter 10; Florida

Florida vs. San Francisco
Florida has captivated many including immigrants, retirees, and sunshine-seekers for its sunny disposition. The region suffers the potential of natural disaster, much like San Francisco, however, and the large population of the coastal counties (90%), poses a huge risk, much like that of California's. A lesson in sustainability from San Francisco to remediate the following: "Vulnerability to hurricanes, a high rate of population growth, dependence on natural gas and coal for 86 percent of its energy, dependence on outside sources for fossil fuel"... and "...Ranking third nationally in total energy consumption."

Florida postcard reflecting its vibrant tourist industry (www.zanebenefits.com)

History's Effects on Demography & Settlement

The population of Florida has grown at almost double the nation's rate from 2000-2010, at 17.6%, when 2.8 million inhabitants were added. The state has a racially diverse profile, with 75% white, 22.5% Hispanic, 16% black, 2.4% Asian, 0.4% Native American, and 2.5 two or more races. The historic diaspora of Cubans to Florida was due greatly in part to Fidel Castro's assumption of dictatorship in 1959, when he overthrew the Cuban government. The other large portion of Florida residents is retirees, as the population of those over 65 exceeds 30% in four counties. They seek the state's warm and inviting qualities. In contrast, San Francisco has been settled by a more diverse source of immigrants, and though it is a city with a large amount of immigrants, it does not have as high a concentration of one immigrant group as Florida does, with 2/3rds of all Cubans living in Florida. 

The encroachment of the Seminoles, which lead to a half century of Seminole Wars between whites and Native Americans, caused most indigenous people to be relocated to Oklahoma. Though violence was not as prevalent in San Francisco, the Spanish did have brutal tendencies employed elsewhere. 

Little Havana in Miami, Florida, is much like Chinatown in San Francisco. (en.wikipedia.org)

The Seminole Wars (sillysoft.net)

Climate

The Floridian peninsula is a transition zone between the Caribbean and the temperate mainland, and the state has a subtropical location. Annual rainfall in Florida is much more extensive in Florida than in Sn Francisco, with 50-60 inches per year. Rain is common in summer in autumn in Florida, whereas it is more common in winter in San Francisco. With its great amount of sun, Florida has a 300-day growing season, while San Francisco has much lower temperatures and less potential for agriculture. Both locales are host to the possibility of natural disaster; hurricanes and violent storms in Florida, and earthquakes in San Francisco. 

South Florida beach. (www.destination360.com)

Economy

The prosperous real estate and tourism economy of Florida is a ubiquitous supporter of the economy of the region. Tourism is also present in San Francisco, but not to such a widespread extent. Florida's location is more well-suited to agriculture than that of San Francisco. Florida produces tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, peppers, during winter, despite the harsh conditions in other states. Citrus is also produced in great amounts, and Florida provides for 68% of the nation's oranges, and 78% of its grapefruit. Though California is the next largest producer, the business is not located in San Francisco. Sugarcane, cattle, commercial fishery, and phosphate production are also part of the state's primary industry. Florida's Space companies have also played an important role in the state, though they are in competition with private companies for space launchings. San Francisco has not had an active involvement in the space industry.

Florida citrus advertisement. (www.floribbean.com)

California Citrus State Historic Park postcard (www.citrusstatepark.org)

Sustainability

In order to secure a healthier and sustainable future for Florida, there will need to be an end to speculative real estate, which lead to the collapse of the market in 2008. Climate change, a factor that could devastate both San Francisco and Florida due to natural disasters must be prepared for in both regions. Population is dense in both areas, but it has reached unsustainable heights in Florida. Like San Francisco, Florida has offered tax incentives to homeowners in return for the use of solar power, and in fact was the leading state in the nation in 2008 in that regard. Efforts like these, including Florida's willingness to accept policies like California's plan for climate change policy, will bring about change if approached correctly. 

Chapter 4; Population and Consumption

Population and Consumption

As a major city in a developed nation, San Francisco has an ethnically diverse and large population of 825,863 (2012). The city has the 4th largest population in California. According to the most recent Bay Area Census of 2010, whites comprise 48.5%, African Americans; 6.1%, American Indian or Alaskan Natives- 0.5%, Asians; 33.3%, Hispanic or Latino (of any race); 15.1%, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander; 0.4%, some other race; 6.6%, and two or more races; 4.7%. 

Pre-European Inhabitants
Prior to the Spanish "conquistadors" and religious men and women's entry into the San Francisco Bay area in 1776, there were several Native American tribal groups that were connected by the Costanoan language family. Eight languages were spoken, and each was unique to a tribe. In San Francisco and San Jose the dominant indian tribe was  the Ohlone.  The San Francisco De Asis or Dolores Mission brought the tribes of the area together, including members of the Bay Miwok, Coast Miwok and Patwin tribes, in order to effectuate the religious conversion process that was employed by the representatives of the Catholic Church. By 1832 the mission was plagued by disease, and many of the indigenous people departed from the mission. The Spanish came to America for mainly economic purposes, and spiritual purposes to a lesser extent.  The miniscule percentage of Native Americans that make up part of the Census intake indicated the ravaging effects on tribal population in addition to the erosion of tribal culture due to Spanish inquisition.

Ohlone people (www.missionscalifornia.com)

San Francisco de Asis or Dolores Mission- The oldest building standing in San Francisco today. (www.books-about-california.com)

Chinese Immigrants
In 1848 Chinese immigrants began flocking to the San Francisco's Angel Island due to the promise of gold and opportunity, due to harsh impoverished conditions in the southern part of China, where most of them came from.  "By 1852, more than 25,000 immigrants from China alone had arrived in America." (www.history.com) However, soon after the restrictive "Chinese Exclusion Act" was passed in 1882 to place a 10 year moratorium on Chinese labor immigration to the United States. "However, this legislation could not keep sons and daughters of U.S. citizens out of the country. People attempting to emigrate from China often became "Paper Sons" and "Paper Daughters" by purchasing documentation claiming that they were children of U.S. citizens, and therefore citizens themselves. " (http://www.angelisland.com)  The exclusion act wasn't repealed until 1943, and Chinatown began to flourish and become the influence that it is today.

Chinatown- Ross Alley from Jackson Street, c. 1898 (photographer: Arnold Genthe) (foundsf.org)

Chinatown today. (sfchinatown.wordpress.com)

Multi-ethnic Gold Rush Immigration
"The Gold Rush made San Francisco a cosmopolitan metropolis with a frontier edge." (http://www.history.com/topics/san-francisco). Thousands of prospect gold miners, known as the '49ers converged in San Francisco, leaving their hometowns and families behind. The mostly men (92%) came from Oregon, Hawaii, Mexico, Chile, Peru, and "By the mid 1850s there were more than 300,000 new arrivals—and one in every 90 people in the United States was living in California." (history.com) The notion of a new life and the possibility of wealth was a huge pull factor: "A migration theory that suggests that circumstances at the place of origin (such as poverty and unemployment) repel or push people out of that place to other places that exert a positive attraction or pull (such as a high standard of living or job opportunities). (583, Mayda) Though about $81 million in gold was extracted from the land, many men suffered arduously and left pennilessly,

(history.howstuffworks.com)

Other Population Information
Today, the biggest age group in San Francisco is 18 to 64 years old at 73.0%. The oldest age group, which is aged 65 and older is 13.6%, while the youngest age group, which is under 5 years old is 4.4%. San Francisco thus represents typical population structure for a large city in a developed nation, "...with a bulge in the middle representing the "baby boom" generation, a smaller base of youth, and a larger population of seniors." (Mayda, 77) San Francisco ranks 2nd out of all U.S. cities (after Seattle) in terms of residents who have obtained a Bachelor's degree, with 51%. The largest portion of the workforce is employed in the tertiary sector, however, a larger percentage of people in the city is not in the labor force, which could be representative of seniors, children, and also people affected by the recent economic recession. 

Chapter 6; The North Atlantic Provinces and Northern New England

The North Atlantic Region vs. San Francisco

While the North Atlantic Region holds only two main opportunities economically, fishery and lumber. Both San Francisco and the North Atlantic are aesthetically beautiful, and thus present the opportunity for tourism. Tourism however, has become the largest portion of the North Atlantic economic base since the collapse of the fishery and lumber industries due to overfishing, climate change, pollution, mismanagement of resources, and the tragedy of the commons, "...seeking short-term profits while ignoring long-term sustainability in the Grand Banks fishery." (123, Mayda)

New England in Autumn (newenglandhamptoninns.com)

Similar Geography and Use of Fish Resources
Both San Francisco and the North Atlantic Provinces are close to the coast, and both locations have exploited watersheds. Both watersheds have become undermined by industrial and urban runoff. While New England's cod industry completely collapsed in 1992, San Francisco has managed to retain some portion of their commercial fishing industry. However, the fish populations of both areas is nowhere near that of their respective zeniths.

History's Effects on Demography & Settlement
The largely English, Irish, and Scottish settlement of New England contrasts greatly with the Spanish settlement of San Francisco. The Spanish were more concerned with gaining economic and religious outposts, while European colonists in New England intended to form permanent settlements, and were more suited for this as their cultural preadaptation allowed them to manage the land with the survival traits carried on from their homeland, since New England was similar to England in topography. Both groups, however, eventually drove out most of the native population. New Englanders vastly disrupted the hunting and gathering practices of the Micmacs with the new furs-for-food trade, leaving many destitute, dying of starvation, or ill due to introduction of diseases. Similarly, the reliance on the mission by native peoples in San Francisco caused many to retreat from native traditions and lifestyles, and eventually many died of diseases introduced by Europeans. New England colonists were less interested than the Spanish in the religious conversion process. Both groups changed the land they encountered forever.

(prairiehomeplace.blogspot.com)

Climate

The maritime influence affects both the North Atlantic and San Francisco. Both regions enjoy moderate regional temperatures, but, because of winds, the North Atlantic interior is often much colder than that of San Francisco. Thus, during winter, snowstorms are common in New England. The Gulf Stream-Labrador Current causes a meeting of cold and warm currents, much like in San Francisco, causing a similar foggy effect. The current in New England however, is known to cause intense "nor'easters".

Nor'easter blizzard over New England (www.pbs.org)

Economy
The economy of San Francisco is much more diversified, and less reliant on the primary sector. Though  the economy of New England has traditionally been supported by the primary industries of fishing, mining, and logging, today New Englanders must seek out more sustainable and long-term means of sustenance, such as tourism, which is the only thriving industry. San Francisco also attracts many tourists, but also has bustling financial, technological, medical research, and trade sectors.